Efficacy of ultrasonography in peripheral venous cannulation

• Published in: Journal of intravenous nursing Vol. 23; no. 1; p. 29
• Main Author: LaRue, G D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.01.2000
• Subjects: Arm - blood supply; Arm - diagnostic imaging; Catheterization, Central Venous - adverse effects; Catheterization, Central Venous - methods; Catheterization, Central Venous - nursing; Catheterization, Peripheral - adverse effects; Catheterization, Peripheral - methods; Catheterization, Peripheral - nursing; Humans; Point-of-Care Systems; Retrospective Studies; Ultrasonography, Interventional - adverse effects; Ultrasonography, Interventional - methods; Ultrasonography, Interventional - nursing
• ISSN: 0896-5846

A retrospective study of 431 patients who had peripherally inserted midclavicular or central catheters placed during a consecutive 13-month period using the conventional landmark method for placement was compared with a second group of 326 patients, who during a 12-month period had such catheters placed using ultrasonography. The data demonstrate a 42% decrease in the number of needle penetrations needed to successfully cannulate veins when ultrasound was used during placement. There is a 26% greater chance of successful cannulation of the vein on the first attempt with ultrasound-guided placements than with those using the traditional landmark method.